Deven Marrero was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket to free up an infield roster spot while Josh Rutledge, Allen Craig, Brennan Boesch, Dan Butler, Sandy Leon, and Anthony Varvaro were all reassigned to the minor league camp.

The only difference between the two moves is the language in the contract as Marrero will be able to move up and down between the Triple-A team an unlimited amount of times in the first three years of his contract as he is still a member of the 40-man roster.

Those reassigned to the minor league camp are not members of that 40-man roster and will be eligible for call-ups later in the season for whatever circumstance they are needed for.

In addition to those moves vertically in the organization, Carlos Marmol made a horizontal move in the organization; out the door. He was very underwhelming in this Spring Training and it comes as no surprise that he was sent packing before the Opening Day roster is finalized.

Source: Getty Images, Leon Halip

If he showed much of anything he could have been a huge addition to the bullpen like Jordan Leandre wrote back in February when he first signed. He turned out a 6.75 ERA over four innings pitched and only recorded five strikeouts and will not be a repeat of Alexi Ogando who gave up a home run seemingly every time out.

Finally, Carson Smith, Brandon Workman, Eduardo Rodriguez and Christian Vazquez will all unfortunately be starting the season on the Disabled List. Smith and Rodriguez are two bigger holes in the pitching staff that needs to be filled.

Source: Getty Images, Michael Ivins

Smith was one of the trades that Dealin’ Dave executed and, although his forearm cramping seems like a daunting injury, it should not be that severe and hopefully it will be resolved in his time off and he will be able to be a huge contributor in the back end of games. Our own Dealin’ Dave (Matt Watts)reported Smith’s injury as soon as it happened a week ago.

Source: AP

With Rodriguez starting out of the rotation, that leaves a hole in the fifth spot which looks like it will be filled by knuckleballer Steven Wright as laid out by our own Dan Cantone just a few short days ago. He is competing with Roenis Elias, who is scheduled to throw another bullpen today as he is also vying for one of the two open spots out of the bullpen as a reliever.

Farrell said final roster decision is final spot in bullpen. Elias will throw bullpen today, but no plan beyond that

Finally, the seemingly catcher of the future Christian Vazquez will miss the Opening Day roster for the second straight year, but this year is certainly not lost like last year’s. Blake Swihart will start in his absence but once Vazquez is the everyday catcher once again later this year, Swihart could be traded in order to bolster the starting rotation as laid out by Mr. Pete Packowski earlier today.

All of these moves hopefully bring the Red Sox a step closer to finding that magical puzzle of the 40 best guys in the organization to put the best nine out night in and night out in order to make to the elusive World Series this fall.

At the same time, these moves are a sign of important baseball getting closer and closer to joining us every night.